Online social media to curb loneliness?

Page 1 of 1 [ 5 posts ] 

existentialterror
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl

User avatar

Joined: 23 Jan 2014
Gender: Female
Posts: 125

24 Jan 2014, 2:12 pm

I know I just made a post earlier, but it was so long, I'm afraid my question will be drowned out. I was just wondering, for those of us who struggle with having to live alone someday or be completely alone, is there such a thing as having a virtual roommate online? For example, using youtube or Skype to be with another person, whether it is knowing there is another person in a virtual room next to you sleeping the hours away, etc....?

I have lived alone before and could not bear it, as I'm unable to make real life friends either. The existential despair and anxiety are crushing, I'm just not one of those Aspies who can live alone.

Yet, I know this will be in my future someday and I am terrified of it. (I would not get on well with a real life roommate)

But in a virtual world, is it possible?

Any feedback on the practicality of this idea would be greatly appreciated, as I know next to nothing about online social media, particularly as it relates to loneliness. For example, I get extremely depressed at the idea of having to come home alone to 4 empty walls of an apartment at night - could such a site be used for an unusual purpose like knowing that someone else is there, even if they are in the same room doing something else? I know this question sounds pathetic and absurd; if anyone can relate to what i'm struggling with, please advise if you can...



coffeebean
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 2 Oct 2013
Age: 34
Gender: Female
Posts: 769
Location: MN, US

24 Jan 2014, 3:20 pm

Hmm? That sounds like a role a close online friend could sort of fulfill (being there often but not necessarily talking), and if your time zones match up you might both be getting up and going to bed around the same time, too.

Can you elaborate on what a virtual roommate would be, though?



existentialterror
Snowy Owl
Snowy Owl

User avatar

Joined: 23 Jan 2014
Gender: Female
Posts: 125

24 Jan 2014, 4:43 pm

coffeebean wrote:
Hmm? That sounds like a role a close online friend could sort of fulfill (being there often but not necessarily talking), and if your time zones match up you might both be getting up and going to bed around the same time, too.

Can you elaborate on what a virtual roommate would be, though?


What I'm looking for is, in the event that I end up living alone with no outside social connections either, is a setup whereby a computer screen would be a window to someone else's room. (UGGH, that sounds creepy, i don't mean i have to see what is in their room, just something visual that shows someone else is nearby - maybe a small screen that only shows part of their living area, e.g. corner of bed) If they turn off the light and go to sleep, for instance, my screen would see their room or (part of living area they want to show) and vice versa. If they desired privacy, they could turn the screen blank, but the idea would be a parallel type of coexistence.

It would not necessarily involve social interaction - they could be doing their own thing and I mine, perhaps we would check in with each other once in a while, but keeping the screens a window to each other's existences, especially during sleeping hours. If noise is an issue, it could be turned to mute. If one of us has medical issues (e.g. getting old and worrying that no one will find us if we fall or some other medical disaster happens), we'd serve as a check-in, in a way. (I guess there are medical alert bracelets for that)

But you get the idea - I just have absolute panic of being completely alone someday, with no one to check in on my well-being, or just being trapped in an empty apartment. It is a comfort to know someone else is there, even in a virtual world. If someone else has similar needs, perhaps it could work...

(EDIT: i know this sounded horribly weird and creepy, and not sure if anyone else would understand even suggesting such a setup) (sigh)



vickygleitz
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 29 Jul 2013
Age: 70
Gender: Female
Posts: 1,757
Location: pueblo colorado

25 Jan 2014, 1:22 am

I PM'ed you.



GivePeaceAChance
Veteran
Veteran

User avatar

Joined: 10 Jan 2014
Age: 62
Gender: Female
Posts: 806
Location: USA

25 Jan 2014, 5:11 am

just for me, I would rather die. I have actually made this decision, if I find that I will never have IRL friends, I WILL end it.


_________________
?The first duty of a human being is to assume the right functional relationship to society--more briefly, to find your real job, and do it.? - Charlotte Perkins Gilman
"There never was a good war, or a bad peace." - Benjamin Franklin